Happy Valentine’s Day, team TNR!

I know I speak for a horde of humans and numberless cats, indoors and out, when I declare: we love you! It’s true on “love day” and all year ’round. We honestly could not do our labors of love without your tireless, devoted kindness. And so I start this update just making sure you know you’re loved — a lot!

That’s also the message we’re currently trying to convey to one of our TNR kitties. (Actually, it’s always the message we’re trying to convey to all of our TNR kitties.) Meet Gretchen.

Gretchen comes from a quirky colony. We’re about to begin a sizable new TNR project at a local juvenile correctional facility. There’s just something about such settings that free-roaming cats can’t resist. You may recall we conducted a multi-year TNR project at a local women’s prison just a few years ago. Between the availability of food and the kindness of inmates and employees, feral kitties quickly figure out that correctional facilities are great places to live.

Gretchen is one of many cats roaming the grounds of this particular facility…but she was the one who needed us most urgently. When our team first went out to evaluate the cat colony, Gretchen stood out for her serious skinniness and a massive, infected wound on her back.

We couldn’t leave such a cat outdoors, and so Gretchen came to Camp Tabby’s Place for treatment. Our vet team took care of Gretchen’s wound, and a ceaseless smorgasbord of wet food is helping our girl to gain much-needed weight. The future is bright for gorgeous Gretchen.

But, as so often with our feral friends, the future is also a little undetermined. Gretchen is at that common crossroads: will she live the rest of her days indoors, or in a managed colony? That’s what we’re struggling to determine right now. To be honest, so far Gretchen is giving little indication that she would ever be happy indoors. We love her dearly, but she cowers and scarcely tolerates our handling.

So what will love look like for dear Gretchen? We’re not yet sure, but we’ve given her this promise: we will always do what’s in her best interest, and we will always, always be here for her.

For now, Gretchen still needs time to heal and gain strength. She’s stuck with us, like it or not, until we’re confident that she will thrive outdoors. But if her heart should start to open to our affections, she’ll join the indoor Tabby’s Place family, and start the search for a home of her own.

Indoors or out, Gretchen will spend the rest of her days safe, known and loved. So many free-roaming cats can tell the same story thanks to you, dear sponsors.

On Valentine’s Day and always, you have our deepest thanks, and our love.